Looking at the albums - Offering/Ticket To Ride

[Rob813]

I thought it would be fun to take a look at each of the Carpenter albums in the order they were released. We'll spend a week looking at each one.

So....this week we begin with their very first album which was originally released as Offering. The release date was October 9, 1969. Karen and Richard had been pounding the pavement for three years looking for a record company to sign them to a recording contract. Once a demo of K and R's music reached Herb Albert of A&M records he fell in love. He said it was as if Karen were sitting in your lap, singing directly to you. I've often felt this way myself.

Originally Your "Your Wonderful Parade" was released as their first single, but it was unsuccessful. The next choice was a Beatles tune call "Ticket To Ride". It was released as a single on November 5, 1969 and made it's debut on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart on February 14, 1970. By May the song reached #54 and stayed on the charts for 12 weeks. By the way, "Your Wonderful Parade" was the B side of the single this time around.

It was not until the sucess of "Close To You", the single and album, that the decision was made to retitle and repackage the Offering album. Late 1970/Early 1971 it was released as Ticket To Ride to take advantage of the moderate success of the single. A new and hipper cover was released with all the songs remaining the same. At this point the album finally reached the US charts reaching #150 in February 1971 and stayed on the charts for four months. Here's a breakdown of the contents of the album:

1. Invocation
2. Your Wonderful Parade
3. Someday
4. Get Together
5. All Of My Like
6. Turn Away
7. Ticket To Ride
8. Don't Be Afraid
9. What's The Use
10. All I Can Do
11. Eve
12. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
13. Benediction

I personally did not know about this album until Close To You, the album was released. Every song on this album is just perfect, in my opinion. I particularly like "All Of My Life". This song definitely is an early indicator of what the "Carpenter" sound would become. It is a romanitc and exciting expression of young love. Karen plays both the drums and bass guitar on this track. And her vocals, well perfection, of course!

All the vocals are done by Karen and Richard by a process called overdubbing. This consists of recording voices separately and then superimposing or stacking each on top of the other. This technique creates a layered effect and became the trademark of the Carpenter sound of the early 1970's.

So, I'd like you to think about these songs. Perhaps you'd like to re-listen to Ticket To Ride and come away with something new. This is YOUR forum. Please tell us about your experiences with this, the Carpenters very first "offering" to all of us.

[enigma]

Ok Rob looks like I'll go first thanks for the weeks heads up gave me a chance to listen to Offering a few times and organise my views on it.

Some other facts/overview. Richard said that this album either sold well or was considered ashtray material depending on where it was released in the U.S. Richard also said that this record was not where he was at musically at the time but had to be recorded and released exactly as it was even if the Carpenters had not been signed until 1979 it would not have mattered just a few tidbits here.

Now overview: in my opinion Offering was far from ashtray material I loved this record. Young Karens vocals were simply amazing and more so considering this woman was 19 years old! I even liked Richards songs in fact they are among my favorite leads by him outside the Medley's and cosidering I don't care for Richard on lead vocals thats saying something. This is one of the few Carpenters records that is dated sounding. It definately has the sixties sound and feel to it and every sixties recording trick in the book was used on this record. When I hear it I feel like I am back in the sixties and I was not even born in the sixties however I love that feeling so I have no problem with that. Finally Karens drumming is superb throughout this record which is icing on the cake!

Now on to the songs

1. Invocation - A nice short song introducing Offering and a style Richard would use on alot of Carpenter records called bookending. I like the layered harmonies and opera like vocals on this one. An introduction to one of the greatest singers of all time Karen Carpenter and a great intro it was.

2. Your Wonderful Parade - This is simular to a song called The Magical Mystery Tour released by The Beatles two years before it is set up almost identically you can see the influence here. I like this song Richard does a good job on leads here and when Karen joins in on harmonies the magic happens.

3. Someday - This song is so good. Karens vocals are haunting on this number its like she is living the song. This is a favorite of mine off this record and I adore Karens vocal and Richard piano on this beautiful song.

4. Get Together - This is one of my favorite Richard leads. I really like the Youngbloods version of this great song and though Richards is no as good it is still very good. I like the reverb he used on the vocals on this song and when Karen joins in on harmonies it just makes this great song all the better. The constant changes from reverb to normal vocals and constanly chaging styles in this song make it such a treat.

5. All Of My Life - Another awsome song from this record. Karen shines vocally on this song. Another favorite off this album I love it!

6. Turn Away - Again Richard does a great job here on leads. I like the way the song slows as it hits the chorus usually songs speed up when they get to the chorus. Great harmonies by Karen as usual.

7. Ticket To Ride - Did not care for this version of the song like most of the Carpenters Beatles covers I found the originals far superior and this one was no exception. On its own merit not comparing it to the original Karen does her usual great job on the vocals and Richard piano is also very good on this song. I never understood Karens dislike for the original vocal on this song or her need to rerecord it for The Singles album in 1974 I thought the original vocal was just fine.

8. Don't Be Afraid - This simple bubbley pick me up song is such a pleasure to listen to. I just adore Karens vocal on this one no chills, not haunting, just pure fun another song I just love off this record.

9. What's The Use - Yet another good Richard lead I especially love the duet nature of this song when both Karen and Richard share leads on this like the keyboard work in this one another good one here.

10. All I Can Do - A nice short number sung by Karen. Karen especially shines on drums here so cool. This song reminds me alot of the early Richard Carpenter Trio material which is also cool.

11. Eve - Another haunting vocal sung so awsomely by Karen yet another favorite off this album. I especially love Richards use of the harpsecord(sp?) on this song adding to the haunting vocal rendition Karen delivers. Again I love this song!

12. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing - I am sounding like a broken record here but once again Richard delivers a good vocal performance on this Neil Young song. Karens drumming is great as usual and the keyboard playing to end the song is great. What can I say another pleasant listen off an album filled with pleasant listens.

13. Benediction (Rob you forgot one lol) - This short bookend to the the Offering album is a fitting end to a strong effort.

As you can see I love and adore the Offering/Ticket To Ride record I feel it was under rated and should have sold alot more than it did. Unlike Karen and Richard I see nothing wrong with the vocals or the way this record was recorded. Simply put I LOVE THIS RECORD!!!!

[Rob813]

Thanks for catching that Enigma. I edited my post and added Benediction. Just wanted to let you know so you don't think Enigma is crazy

[Rick Henry]

Hi all. Rob, you did a great job with this thread, excellent.

"Offering/Ticket To Ride", I feel is a strong debut for the Carpenters. I love this album because it's unique and different from other Carpenters works. It's strong on the jazz influence of Carpenters music. Richard described this album as being ambitious.

Whereas most fans love "All Of My Life" and "Eve", my favorite tunes on the album are the oddball tunes such as "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing", "Your Wonderful Parade" and "All I Can Do". I really enjoy the somewhat aggressive nature of "All I Can Do" with Richard's jazz influenced keyboard work and Karen's great drum progressions. This song is a true rare gem. Don't get me wrong eventhough I like the oddball songs best I do love the classic tunes of "All Of My Life", "Someday" and "Eve".

I love this album mainly because I love Karen's early soulful voice and also because she plays the drums on each track.

[Rick Henry]

Just to add a little more background on this topic. I remember when I first saw this album. It was in 1971 a few months after it was rereleased as "Ticket To Ride". I spotted it in a department store named Zody's. Zody's was a popular West Coast department store in the late 60's to late 70's. I just loved the picture of K&R on the boat. I finally bought it a few months later (early 1972) on 8-track. I played that 8-track like crazy. I must have played it over a hundred times just in the first month I had it. Every song on it brings back a special memory.

[beaner]

It was a couple years later before I got this album but what I loved about it was the informal setting with Karen and Richard being on a boat. I liked being able to see them as everyday people.

I played this album over and over. "Someday" was one of the first serious songs I really learned to sing my heart out on. The rest of that whole side I loved too. One of my favorites was "Don't Be Afraid". About the only one I wasn't totally fond of was "Your Wonderful Parade" although I used to do the "emcee" thing just like Richard.

[Rob813]

I received Close To You, the album, for Christmas 1970. Of course I was enraptured by every note on that album. I had fallen head over heels in love with Karen and Richard. Sometime in 1971, after already being a fan club member, I purchased Ticket To Ride. I couldn't believe how great I found all the songs on THIS album. Everything that Carpenters touched turned to gold from Close To You forward. You cannot imagine how exciting it was to be a part of this from the beginning. Of course, at the time, I didn't know about this like I do now. I just knew that this music and these artists were heaven. I cannot describe the joy I felt back then each and every time I listened and sang along with the wonderful sound that was the Carpenters (sorry Richard - I sound drop the the and just call you Carpenters!!! This was planned by Richard to make the duo cooler. Like Jefferson Starship and Buffalo Springfield. Invariably the press added the the and worked hard at making them uncool. Of course, not to me and millions of other crazy fans!

[Boat2Sail]

I bought this album in the early seventies. I already had CLOSE TO YOU, CARPENTERS and A SONG FOR YOU. I bought this one because at the time it was the only Carpenters album I didn't have. Ofcourse I fell in love with it instantly. My favorite song on it originally was ALL OF MY LIFE. It's a great melodic song. I love Karen's voice. Thirty years later I still love ALL OF MY LIFE, but now my favoite is the dark themed EVE. this one really has that CHILL FACTOR. I also play SOMEDAY, TURN AWAY, ALL I CAN DO and, DON'T BE AFRAID alot, these are my favorites from the album.

[Rob813]

The original cover of the album which debuted as Offering featured Karen and Richard on some steps. Karen was holding a large flower and she had a rather large headband holding back her hair. Richard hated the cover and I'm sure was somewhat pleased with the cover shot of him and Karen on the sailboat. I say somewhat because I've never read of Richard being pleased with any album cover. When we have a gathering of fans in 200? and he shows up (please God), I'm going to ask him about this.

Anyway, my real point is that the Offering album is quite rare. I don't know how many copies were printed or sold. Does anybody know about the whereabouts of this rare item?

[Rick Henry]

!@ I've seen "Offering" listed on Ebay from time to time. Once time I saw it listed for something like $75.00, another for about $150.00.

I have the original "Offering" album, I found it in a thrift store for something like 75 cents. Of course I picked it up real quick. I've heard several people say they don't like that cover - but I like it quite a bit myself. It's unique and shows a very young Karen.

[Rob813]

Well Rick I think the Ticket To Ride cover is cooler. A&M execs thought Karen looked more like thirteen than nineteen - that age difference certainly is reflected between the two album covers. It's just too bad that no matter how great they made Karen look in all their photos she always was so down on herself; if she could have seen herself through our eyes. But, then again, I guess me could all say that about ourselves to one degree or another.

[enigma]

Guys I like both the Offering cover and the Ticket To Ride cover but must agree with Rick on the original it is my favorite as well. Karen may have looked 16 on this cover (I don't happen to think she did) but the cover really captures the material in the album. The original cover is innocent and very 60's looking which is the mood of the entire record. I think Karen looked wonderful on this cover the headband and the flowers add to her look of wide eyed innocence. Unfortuneately I do not own this record with the original cover nor do I intend to pay that kind of money for it but who knows I may get lucky someday. Yes Rob I also wish Karen could have seen how beautiful she really was I also think she was a beautiful woman.

[Rick Henry]

Rob813 said:

Well Rick I think the Ticket To Ride cover is cooler. A&M execs thought Karen looked more like thirteen than nineteen - that age difference certainly is reflected between the two album covers. It's just too bad that no matter how great they made Karen look in all their photos she always was so down on herself; if she could have seen herself through our eyes. But, then again, I guess me could all say that about ourselves to one degree or another.

Hi Rob. my statement was that I like the "Offering" cover, I said this because many people have stated they don't care for that particular album cover. Personally though of the two I do like the "Ticket To Ride" cover best. Karen looks totally relaxed and it's just a good photo.

I'm with both you and enigma that it's a shame that Karen didn't see herself for the very attractive woman she was.

[Peteruk]

Love this debut Carpenters album -still plays so well with great Carpenter / Bettis songs plus 3 interesting cover versions

Both covers capture aspects of Carpenters ....probably Offering cover though rather odd ...sums up 1969 dress , culture & art very well

Peter

[Rob813]

I've finally posted the next album - Close To You. Sorry, it took me so long. I was on vacation. Let me know what you think of the new posting.

[Peteruk]

Original Offering sleeve photo / artwork is definitely odd -suppose in keeping with late 1960's culture & Carpenters music from this debut period

Still love this album -housing some fab Carpenter / Bettis songs , fascinating playing & arrangements plus Ticket To Ride as first great cover of an established song

Favs include All Of My Life , Don't Be Afraid , Turn Away & Get Together ( great Richard vocals plus early examples of backing / overdubbed vocals ) , Someday, Eve & Ticket .....

Despite being linked to 1969 ....this album remains a pleasure to listen to ....hearing this set and then playing Close To You ....is quite a listening jump for long term & new fans

Peter

[Rob813]

Good insight Peter about the jump from Ticket to CTY. For most of us fans, our first exposure to Carpenters was Close To You. We purchased Ticket next or even further on down the line. I think some of the 60's feel of Ticket didn't even "come up" for us. Only in retrospect can you hear that. Any way you look at it, Ticket was a very impressive debut for K & R. Of course if CTY had bombed, that would have probably been the end of our duo as we know them. Thank God everything turned out the way it did!

[Rob813]

In doing the Looking at the albums series, I am struck by the level of quality from one album to the next. Anyone who works in the creative arts knows how difficult it is to produce work of consistent quality. The Carpenters could have "coasted" along the way, but instead maintained an extraordinary and sustained standard of excellence. For this and so much more I am eternally grateful.